Royal Family to Tour the United Kingdom During Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Weekend
When the Platinum Jubilee celebrations take place, in June much of the focus will be on London, with Buckingham Palace providing a backdrop for many of the events. However, it has now been announced that members of the royal family will travel throughout the United Kingdom between June 2 and June 6, attending celebrations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
“Over the course of the Central Weekend, Members of the Royal Family will visit the Nations of the United Kingdom to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee,” Buckingham Palace said today in a statement. “Members of the Royal Family will attend engagements in each nation, including public events marking the occasion.” Prince William and Kate will travel to Wales, Prince Edward and Sophie will be in Northern Ireland, and Princess Anne will visit Scotland, with further details announced closer to the time.
The Platinum Jubilee weekend begins on Thursday, June 2, with a special Trooping the Colour, and later that day beacons will be lit across the UK and Commonwealth. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, June 3. On Saturday, June 4, the Queen hopes to attend the Epsom Derby and a concert will be held at the front of Buckingham Palace in the evening. The final day of the celebrations on Sunday, June 5, will see people encouraged to hold their own “Big Jubilee Lunch” picnics or street parties and a pageant will parade through central London up to the Palace.
Buckingham Palace announced last week that, in a change with tradition for Trooping the Colour, only working royals will appear on the Palace balcony after the event. The decision avoids controversy that Prince Andrew’s appearance in such a way would certainly attract, although it is believed that he will attend events throughout the weekend as a family member. The move also means that Prince Harry and Meghan will not make a balcony appearance as the Platinum Jubilee celebrations open, cementing the position they now hold alongside other non working royals. They made their own announcement last week that they will be traveling to the UK with Archie and Lilibet and were “excited and honoured” to join the celebrations. Previously, there had been uncertainty over whether they would make the journey as Prince Harry has taken legal action against the UK’s Home Office over his security arrangements when in the country. Their visit will be the first time Lilibet, who turns one on June 4, will meet the royal family.
While royal sources have said that the 96-year-old Queen is looking forward to the weekend and plans to take part, her attendance at events will only be confirmed closer to the time and possibly on the day itself. She has been forced to pull out several public events in recent months, including Remembrance Sunday and the Commonwealth Service, due to ongoing struggles with mobility.
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